Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-05-13
Henry Georges Scheme

Henry George and DR.. McGlynn have
undertaken renovation in the condition
of human affairs which people for thous-
ands of years have attempted in one way
or another to effect and have as often
failed to accomplish. They have under
taken the abolition oil poverty. Their
methods pursued and their remedies pro
posed are novel. The following embraces
the principal points in their theory:
ave hold that the land and all it contains
were like the air and the sunshine, the gifts
Of God through nature to man, and, there
fore, land with all it contains is the property
of the whole people for their use and benefit
We hold further. therefore, that private
ownership in land is against natural justice,
and therefore is unjust. The land belonging
by right to the people. should be given to
them or by them taken from those who claim
"a individual and absolute control over it
and the rivers and the mines that it contains.
We do not hold that these private, So
called owners would have any just right to
compensation. though We might for the sake
OF compromise be disposed to allow them
some compensation. We would then have
the community control the land, receiving a
rent for il in the form of taxation. The rent
would 20 into the common treasury, would
furnish schools roads and libraries and would
provide for ail the other needs of an organ
lied people, and 80 benefit the community AS
a whole, and the community would share in
the increased value that comes from increased
demand
This is beautiful air castle. 1t is as
fanciful as it is beautiful. Suppose that
this state OF things could be brought to
pass and the land. the property OF the
whole people, could be rented to in
dividuals. What effect would it have up
on poverty? When it is considered
that laziness. improvidence, misfortune.
lack OF foresight, mismanagement and
scores of kindred causes create poverty,
1t will be seen that the remedy is not
adequate. The workers, the provident,
the fortunate, the shrewd, and the calcula
ting would surely regain, in equivalent,
all the property that had been taken from
them and the poor would remain rs poor
~ ever The difference in ownership, if
any. would be slight. This is deduction
from the results OF all experiments in
equalization. A chance in the race for
wealth is not needed so much AS the ability
to make chance and to improve oppor-
tunities. This proposed plan would only
start men on nearer equality in position
but without the ability to hold the position,
nothing could be gained. Not that it is
believed that men are born poor and re-
main poor from lack of brains. is this
position maintained. but that there is a
personal responsibility for their own
poverty.
Then again there are grave doubts con.
eerning the state of society under such an
order of things. Wherever, so far in the
history OF the world. the land has been
owned by the community, and rented to
individuals for taxes or rents of any kind.
progression in every department of life
has been completely checked-a spirit ofin-
difference to every obligation and disre-
gard Of all rights has ensued. What pre-
veution against such result is proposed
by Mr.. George, is yet unannounced.
There are thousands OF people who will
see in this scheme the cure.all for every
description OF financial misfortunes and
the "Anti-poverty Societies" will flourish
for time at least. but before a chance is
ever given for the application OF the
principles held, the fallacy OF such ideas
will dawn upon the minds of the deluded
followers of this visionary schemer.